Advance voting begins with big uptick in turnout
The municipal election is still three weeks away but Windsor voters got their first chance to cast a ballot Wednesday at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex.
“We're excited that it's finally here and we've been planning this a long time,” said Terri Knight Lepain, the city’s manager of records and elections, who said planning for elections starts 14 months before the big day.
Polls opened Wednesday morning and remain open until 8 p.m.
A good number of voters have filed through the doors at a steady clip when compared to previous municipal elections, according Knight Lepain. As of 2 p.m., Knight Lepain said Windsor voters are far outpacing day one of advance voting from four years ago.
Fifteen-hundred people had already cast their ballot by 2 p.m., which Knight Lepain said is a 60 per cent higher volume than in 2018.
“We're really impressed with the turnout. It's been a steady stream of voters, lots of people in, lots of people out again, the weight hasn't been too, too long,” Knight Lepain said, noting the longest wait has been about 10 minutes. “We've (got) a lot of stuff working inside and outside to keep that line moving.”
This is just day one of advance voting. There are seven more chances to vote ahead of time, including drive-thru voting at Mic Mac Park this weekend and next week at the WFCU Centre, which remains open until 6 p.m.
“Even though it's drive-thru, we welcome anyone. Take the bus, cycle, walk, however you want to get there, we will be able to serve you and we will have all the health and safety precautions in place to make sure you know if you've walked or bike that you're not waiting in a line of traffic,” Knight Lepain said.
Typically, about 90 per cent of voters wait until Election Day to vote.
The general election takes place Oct. 24 where there will be 104 polling stations throughout the city.
ADVANCE POLLING DATES AND LOCATIONS:
- Wednesday, Oct. 5, Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex— Sports Gym 2555 Pulford Street 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 8, Mic Mac Park — Drive-Thru Voting 1125 Prince Road 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 9, Mic Mac Park — Drive-Thru Voting 1125 Prince Road 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 11, All Saints Church — Parish Hall 330 City Hall Square West 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 12, Most Precious Blood Parish — Church Hall 1947 Meldrum Road 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 14, WFCU Centre — Collavino Parking Lot Drive-Thru Voting 8787 McHugh Street 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 15, WFCU Centre — Collavino Parking Lot Drive-Thru Voting 8787 McHugh Street 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 16, WFCU Centre- Collavino Parking Lot Drive-Thru Voting 8787 McHugh Street 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.